Trinity Law Degree question

BusyBee33 · 19-08-2006 5:32pm #1

I live in UK and I have applied to study law at Trinity this year (mainly because I think student life in Dublin seems more fun and isn't quite as drink driven as in the UK - or is it?)

What I am wondering now is whether an Irish law degree will be the equivalent to a UK law degree (or would I have to do a conversion before I could do the UK Legal Practice Course?)

Another question is whether, if I then decided to practice in Dublin (as a solicitor) is there an Irish Law Society Irish language requirement?

Finally, is it easy to make friends or does everyone pretty much know each other already (having been to school in Ireland together)? I think I would be living at Trinity Hall in Rathmines.

All advice would be appreciated.

Endymion · 19-08-2006 5:44pm

BusyBee33 wrote:

I live in UK and I have applied to study law at Trinity this year (mainly because I think student life in Dublin seems more fun and isn't quite as drink driven as in the UK - or is it?)

doubt drink driving would be a problem, most students don't have cars, nor do they have parking palces in trinity.

What I am wondering now is whether an Irish law degree will be the equivalent to a UK law degree (or would I have to do a conversion before I could do the UK Legal Practice Course?)

depends on what you specialise in, I'd imagine, though I don't do law.

Another question is whether, if I then decided to practice in Dublin (as a solicitor) is there an Irish Law Society Irish language requirement?

highly doubtfull it would be a requirement.

Finally, is it easy to make friends or does everyone pretty much know each other already (having been to school in Ireland together)? I think I would be living at Trinity Hall in Rathmines.

together? Not really. Ireland's small, but it's not that small. Most people starting a college course won't know anybody in the course.

Pet · 19-08-2006 5:45pm

mainly because I think student life in Dublin seems more fun and isn't quite as drink driven as in the UK - or is it?

Umm...

Haven't you heard all the stereotypes about the Irish and alcohol? Because, they're mainly true. We're all pissheads to be honest. But..from my experience in the UK (which is not all that much, granted), the Irish student drink culture tends to be less loutish and more fun, if that's any consolation.

Finally, is it easy to make friends or does everyone pretty much know each other already (having been to school in Ireland together)? I think I would be living at Trinity Hall in Rathmines.

Yes, it is extremely easy to meet people, unless you're some kind of reclusive social retard. Very few schoolfriends will stick together, and the ones that do tend to be looked down upon as saddos (which they are). There are loads of societies to meet people from outside your course, and Halls is also a fantastic place to meet people. You'll have absolutely no problems in that regard.

BusyBee33 · 19-08-2006 5:54pm

What's the financial situation over there? There doesn't seem to be a Student Loan system - are you all from rich backgrounds or what?

Endymion · 19-08-2006 5:55pm

BusyBee33 wrote:

What's the financial situation over there? There doesn't seem to be a Student Loan system - are you all from rich backgrounds or what?

Our goverment pays. You being from the UK would have to pay EU fees.

edit, unless you where born on the Island of ireland, that is.

ApeXaviour · 19-08-2006 6:13pm

Carnivore wrote:

Our goverment pays. You being from the UK would have to pay EU fees.

Afaik that's not true

http://www.tcd.ie/Admissions/admissions_info/freefees.html wrote:

"Government Criteria for Qualification for the Free Fees Scheme
EU nationals who have been ordinarily resident in an EU Member State for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to their third level course.

EU nationality is confirmed by one of the following:

* A passport
* A national identity card
* An Irish birth certificate*"

That's off the tcd admissions site but I've found it off the government's education.ie also.

Endymion · 19-08-2006 6:25pm

fair enough. Always thought Uk student paid.

BusyBee33 · 19-08-2006 6:30pm

I've got Irish nationality but born in Dubai and then lived in London for the past 10 years. Seems I am eligible for the free uni fees but all expenses are to be paid by parents, it seems.

Also, is it possible to have a good social life at Trinity without being a drinker? I always have the impression that most people get drunk a lot of the time because they lack confidence (Dutch courage?)

19-08-2006 6:37pm

I dont drink - it never effected my social life and meant i had a bit more cash.

Sisu · 19-08-2006 6:37pm

BusyBee33 wrote:

I live in UK and I have applied to study law at Trinity this year (mainly because I think student life in Dublin seems more fun and isn't quite as drink driven as in the UK - or is it?)

With maybe 12 hours of classes a week, law students tend to have plenty of time to have fun and get involved in things going on in college. I'd say there'd be a fair bit of drink taken, but there are other options if you're not interested in just drinking.

BusyBee33 wrote:

What I am wondering now is whether an Irish law degree will be the equivalent to a UK law degree (or would I have to do a conversion before I could do the UK Legal Practice Course?)

In principle, I think your Irish law degree can be recognised in the UK, provided you do the necessary subjects. In the past, lots of Irish law graduates have gone to London firms, but I hear the rules have been changed in recent years so you should check what they say. I don’t know the details and you will have to look into it carefully to make sure you meet the requirements. Here's somewhere to start. I see it says: "Trinity College, University of Dublin, offers the following degree programme(s) that may lead to full or partial exemption from the Common Professional Examination (CPE) for students enrolling from September 2004: LLB Law", which is promising.

BusyBee33 wrote:

Another question is whether, if I then decided to practice in Dublin (as a solicitor) is there an Irish Law Society Irish language requirement?

Yes, odd as it seems, the law requires that you pass an Irish exam. Have a look at the Law Society's site here. That said, I think that lots of people who never did Irish in school, such as people from Northern Ireland, have sat and passed this exam. It's not that big an obstacle.

BusyBee33 wrote:

Finally, is it easy to make friends or does everyone pretty much know each other already (having been to school in Ireland together)? I think I would be living at Trinity Hall in Rathmines.

Most people wouldn't know (m)any people on their course before starting. Trinity Hall is great for meeting people from all over college and on your course even before Freshers' Week begins.

Thirdfox · 21-08-2006 4:19pm

I've been told by examiners at King's Inns (the training establishment for barristers) that the Irish component of the exam is very easy - Polish, Nigerians and lots of other foreign nationals have passed it. In fact, the only two that failed were two Irish people who did no work at all... apparently

The test in Blackhall place (solicitor training school) will probably be of a similar level.

And anyway, by the time you leave college things may have changed - look at the police force - just recently Irish was scrapped as a requirement to become a Garda (I think it may apply only to non-nationals though)...

Trinity Law Degree question

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